The History of the Universal Monsters: ‘Dracula’ Rises and Hollywood Horror Is Born [Halloweenies Podcast]

In 2025, the Halloweenies are celebrating the storied legacy of the Universal Monsters. Dracula, Wolf Man, Frankenstein, his Bride, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Invisible Man… all will be covered. In fact, each monster is getting their own month, giving the Halloweenies plenty of time to dig deep into their respective origins and chart their influence over the past century and some change.

This month sees the gang in Transylvania, where they’ve already shared their favorite vampire films, reviewed Robert Eggers‘ reimagining of Nosferatu, and talked all over Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino‘s From Dusk til Dawn. Today is the main event, though, as the Halloweenies offer their signature historical analysis to Tod Browning‘s 1931 Dracula.

Topics include: Browning’s strange and wonderful career, the U.S. in early 30’s (spoiler: not great!), vampire history and lore, early days of Universal and talkies, the 21-year-old nepo baby founder of the Universal Monsters, the play upon which Dracula is based on, and much, much more. You’ll go in a fan and walk out … a scholar.

Special guest includes Adam Carston of Windy City Ballyhoo and Make My Day: A Clint Eastwood Podcast.

Stream the episode below or subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and RSS. New to the Halloweenies ? Catch up with the gang by revisiting their essential episodes on past franchises such as Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Scream, The Evil Dead, Chucky, and Alien! This year it’s all Universal, all Monsters. Which creature is next? Let’s just say … you’ll want to have a moon calendar handy.

You can also become a member of their Patreon, The Rewind , for hilariously irreverent commentaries (eg The Texas Chainsaw Massacre , Gremlins , Jaws ), one-off deep dives on your favorite rentals (eg Killer Klowns from Outer Space , Invasion of the Body Snatchers ), and even spinoffs like their recent run Fortune & Glory: An Indiana Jones Podcast .

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The post The History of the Universal Monsters: ‘Dracula’ Rises and Hollywood Horror Is Born [Halloweenies Podcast] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.